Palm Springs Compendium.

[Dan]

More than 2,000 years ago, Palm Springs' first residents were the ancestors of today's Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. One of many Cahuilla bands, the Agua Calientes existed as peaceful hunters and gatherers, adapting to the extremes of desert summers and mountain winters. Much of tribal life centered around the lush vegetation and abundant water in the area known as Indian Canyons, site of North America's largest natural fan palm oases. In 1863, a smallpox epidemic killed thousands of the Agua Caliente.

In 1853, a government survey party mapped Palm Springs and its natural hot springs mineral pool -- now the site of the Spa Hotel and Casino -- and established the first wagon route through the San Gorgonio Pass (now I-10).

In 1877, as an incentive to complete a railroad to the Pacific, the US government gave Southern Pacific Railroad title to the odd-numbered parcels of land for 10 miles on either side of the tracks running through the Southern California desert around Palm Springs. The even-numbered parcels of land were given to the Agua Calientes, but federal law prohibited them from leasing or selling the land to derive income from it.

In 1884, Judge John Guthrie McCallum of San Francisco arrived in Palm Springs with his family, seeking health for his tubercular son. The first permanent non-Indian settler, Mc Callum purchased land from Sourthern Pacific and built an elaborate aqueduct. Dr Welwood Murray built the first hotel, The Palm Springs Hotel, in 1886.

Palm Springs continued attracting more visitors and non-Indian residents, but was not until President Eisenhower signed the Equalization Law in 1959 that tribes could realize profits from their lands. During these years Palm Springs grew rapidly.

In 1909 Nellie Coffman's Desert Inn opened, as did a garage for servicing the vehicles which brought visitors from the East Coast and Los Angeles, and a school for the children of handful of year-round residents. B y the time it was incorporated in 1938, the Village of Palm Springs had become world famous as a winter playground for Hollywood stars, European royalty and business tycoons, all who came to enjoy the endless sunshine and serenity of the desert.

During World War II, the desert became training grounds for General George S. Patton's troops as they prepared to invade North Africa. El Mirador Hotel, second home to the stars and the site of today's Desert Regional Medical Center, served as Torney General Hospital, treating U.S. wounded. Italian prisoners of war, housed at the adjoining detention camp, labored at the hospital.

The airfield, built to handle military cargo and personnel planes, would become Palm Springs Regional Airport. Once a small landing field and the first major Indian land purchased following the 1959 Equalization Law, the airport welcomes the 21st century as Palm Springs International Airport with flights nationwide and to Canada.

The post-war era ushered in tremendous growth as Palm Springs' natural environment was no longer a secret of just the wealthy. With tourism's growth, attractions and resorts flourished. Development spread "down valley." With the advent of air-conditioning, visitors and residents stayed year-round.

Today, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is a vital part of the Palm Springs community. Individually and as a tribe, the Agua Calientes are the largest landowners in the city with nearly 6,700 acres within the city limits. Many major hotels and facilities, such as the Palm Springs Convention Center, are sited on leased Indian lands. The Spa Hotel and Casino is just one example of the Agua Caliente's economic development.

'Kissing rocks' of Palms Springs...




Cool link...
Joshua Tree...


Downtown architecture...


To be continued...;>)

[Ann]

I love reading the history of places I have been or might visit, so thank you Dan for posting this. It's very beautiful country that I'd love to see one day.

Hugs
Ann

[Don W]

Dan, Thanks. Like I mentioned on another thread. I was going to start picturing me there. You've helped. Don W

[historyteach]

Dan;
Thanks so much for this information!
I, too, like to know about the places I'm going to. And that is an awesome link! I'll have to spend some time there!
Shalom!

[Dan]

These things should be members of the Screen Actors Guild, they're in so many movies...

The sight of a almost endless range of wind generators as you travel towards Palm Springs, California, is one where you just have to pull over in a convenient parking space and stop, and look in awe or in horror, or with a mixture of both feelings. The wind-tunnel effect offered by the San Gorgonio Pass certainly meets the requirements for the location of wind farms, with a high average wind speed during the year, and has the potential to supply many southern californians with a 'clean' supply of electricity, free of the emission of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide which are the result of generating electricity from burning fossil fuels. Yet, there are drawbacks to such a development. The wind turbines use up large areas of land, since there has to be a reasonable space between the turbines for each to retain a high conversion efficiency from kinetic energy to electrical energy. Yet, the increased efficiency and improved technology has led to an actual reduction of turbines, even though the output has increased. Whether you consider the actual presence of the turbines to be a visual form of pollution, or a technological marvel with its own intrinsic beauty in a natural location, the sight of these thousands of turbines across the valley certainly cannot be ignored.

http://www.webschool.org.uk/webworld/windcal.htm

To be continued...

[Time2Surrender]

Cool photos.Thanks Dan.

[Dan]

Springs in the sky

Crocker's dream began in 1935 while he was on a trip to Banning, California, with newspaper publisher Carl Barkow. Mopping his brow in the heat of the day, Crocker gazed on longingly at the still snow-capped peak of Mt. San Jacinto 10,804 feet high. At that moment, "Crocker's Folly,'' as it was soon dubbed by one newspaper woman, was born - a tramway up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon.

http://www.pstramway.com/

[Time2Surrender]

I wanna ride that.What do ya think Teach?

[historyteach]

Mike -- I KNOW you're loving this!!!

Go for the gusto!

Dan, you're killing me here!

Calling Mark S -- how do I get over my embarrasing fear of heights? :
Shalom!

[walkingtheline]

That tram goes from Palm Springs to just above the city of Idyllwild...which is one of the most beautiful mountain towns on earth.

My son used to take the tram from PS, then, hike down. It was great sport for him and his fellow boy scouters. It's how he learned to climb and rappel.

Images and info about Idyllwild are here: Click here to read about Idyllwild

[Don W]

Mike, Now that's my idea of CABLE! Don W
History, Stand on your head when we get to the top.

[Time2Surrender]

I love heights.Then again,I guess I wouldnt be much of a painter if I was scared of heights.

[Don W]

Good point Mike, spent many days hanging from flight deck painting the aircraft carrier.
Of course I " was high" most cases in those days. Don W

[Dan]

The deeply weathered summit of Mount San Jacinto stands 10,804 feet above sea level, the highest point in the San Jacinto Range and second highest in Southern California. No more than a two-hour drive from either Los Angeles or San Diego, the mountain's magnificent granite peaks, subalpine forests, and fern-bordered mountain meadows offer a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy a scenic, high-country Wilderness area. The park offers two drive-in campgrounds near the town of Idyllwild. Most of the park is a designated wilderness area enjoyed by hikers and backpackers.

San Jacinto Gallery.
Click the red arrow.

[Alera]

Trivia: If anyone has ever been to Disneyland's sister park Disney's California Adventure (DCA) or Florida's EPCOT recently you probably have ridden the handglider ride - Soarin' Over California. There is a scene of Palm Springs in there: it is when you see the golf game and the golf ball comes toward you.

[Don W]

Alera, "99" was my last trip to WDW so I haven't seen it. That's a terrible thing say, being an alcoholic and having some extra money on way, we've been thinking of a trip.
Only kidding, I'm a big Disney fan, and will be more than happy to check it out. What a recovery---my body can be in Disneyworld Florida---and my mind in Palm Springs. FORE!!!

[Dan]

After the Sky tram, a ride in a glider over the desert...
I better bring some money



http://www.sailplaneenterprises.com/

[Evanna]

Trouble in Paradise.

Looks absolutely awesome. Go Danny!!

[Alera]

You are a Disney fan too? That is neat. I hope you get to make it out to Florida. I haven't been to the Florida Parks in 20 years. Being born and raised in CA can do that to a person...I drive to Disneyland all the time -- usually have an annual passport (this year was really crowded because of the anniversary so I didn't renew but will come October).

You'll have to go on Soarin'. Consider it a prelude to your Palm Springs trip

[Time2Surrender]

Originally Posted by DangerousDan

After the Sky tram, a ride in a glider over the desert...
I better bring some money



http://www.sailplaneenterprises.com/

I could turn this into a very expensive trip.60 minute "Hands on flight" $195. All major credit cards excepted. I wonder if that means I get to fly the plane? Anyone wanna tag along?

[Time2Surrender]

Actually,this is more what I had in mind. http://www.offroadrentals.com/dunebuggy.htm

[Dan]

Very cool site about the unique architecture of Palm Springs.
Excellent historical data and facts, as well as info on the architects who invented the Desert Modern Style.
Oh, and slick pictures too

http://www.psmodcom.com/

The Palm Springs Modern Committee ("PSMODCOM") was formed in 1999 during the effort to save the Albert Frey-designed 1955 Fire Station #1 from being demolished for a parking garage. As an advocacy group, we coordinated a letter-writing campaign and testified at public hearings in support of a nomination for designating the fire station as a City of Palm Springs Class One Historic Site. After many months of effort, we witnessed the City Council's unanimous vote for Class One designation.